One person was unaccounted for after a major blaze at a city centre shop which took more than 50 firefighters to tackle.
No-one has officially been reported missing following the fire at the Kard Bar in Cross Street, Newcastle, Northumbria Police said.
But concerns have been expressed locally about a person who might have been caught up in the severe fire which affected all four floors of the building, and which caused the roof to collapse.
Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly before 9am to find the card shop wellablaze.
Tyne and Wear Fire Service Assistant Chief Officer John Baines said there were three floors above the shop which were used for storage.
Roads were closed as 11 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were brought in.
More than 55 firefighters were involved at the height of the fire, which took around five hours to bring under control.
Old records, memorabilia, posters and cards quickly went up in flames, causing thick acrid smoke to billow across the city.
Mr Baines said: “It has been a very difficult and arduous operation.
“We are aware we have had part of the city centre shut down.”
He said structural specialists must assess when it will be safe for Urban Search and Rescue specialists to go in to carry out a sweep of the building, where there have been partial collapses of some of the floors.
A nearby building which housed more than 80 students has been evacuated and they have been placed in temporary accommodation.
Mr Baines said: “We haven’t confirmed if there is anyone still within the premises, there is an on-going operation to gain access.”
The fire service had no information that the storage area above the shop was used for accommodation.
Superintendent Bruce Storey of Northumbria Police said: “No-one has been reported missing at this time.”
He said there may have been an occupant in the building at the time, but the police could not confirm or deny that.
“Should anyone be concerned there is someone they cannot account for, our appeal would be for them to contact the police in the normal way, via 101,” he said.